Improvement in self-leveling b erths for vessels



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

D. ,HlllSrlmN'I Leveling Berth for Vessels.

. Patented Nov. 25, 1879.

2 sheets-,sheet 2.

1 n' D. HUSTON.

Self-Leveling Berth for' Vessels.Y

r l @ver Patented Nov. 25,1879. Z'g/ N-PETEHS, PM010-LITHOGHAPMER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT .I fi

DAVID HUSTON, on BOSTON, MAsS., ASSIeNOn, BY Mnsnn ASSIGNMENMTO THE HUSTON lIMrnovnD SHIPS BERTH COMPANY, on SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT iN SELF-"LEVELING BERTI-is FOR vEssLs.

Specification forming part fVLettcrs Patent No. 222,049. dated November 25, 1879; application lcd vOctober 17, 187.).

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID HUSTON, of Boston, in-the county of Suffolk andA State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Self-Leveling Berths for Vessels, of whichthe following is `a full, clear, and exact description, reference being Ahad to the accompanyingdrawings, making part oIn this specification, in whch- Figure l is a perspective view of a self-leveling berth constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal `vertical section through the center ot the saine. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line x a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionon the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line z z of Fig. 2; Fig. 6, detail enlarged.

My present invention relates to certain improvements in that class of self-leveling berths for vessels in which Vthe berth or bed is suspended from a swinging frame arranged thereover, and adapted to vibrate on both a longi tudinal and transverse axis. These berths have heretofore been provided with guides at their ends, the friction of which often prevented the berth froinmaintaining or quickly recovering its horizontal position;4 and my invention has for its object to enable me to entirely dispense with these guides, and thus avoid the friction produced thereby, and also torso improve the construction of the berth and the method of suspending or` supporting the same that the liability of its becoming set orjammedlin any particular position within its casin g will be entirely avoided.

To this end my invention consists in a berth suspended from a swinging frame supported on two pairs of journals arranged in lines at right angles to each other, by which construction, while the frame is free to vibrate on both a longitudinal and a transverse axis, so as to preserve its equilibrium as the vessel pitches or rolls, it is nevertheless confined by the pivots on which itis hung, so as to be thereby prevented from having any movement` in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis, and consequently, as the berth is in a great measure controlled in its movements by the frame from vwhich it is suspended, it is prevented from coming into contact with the sides of the casing, while the friction is reduced to a minimumand no obstacle is presented to the free swinging movementof the berth.

My invention also consists in theemployA My invention also consists in the combina! tion,with the berth, of springs arranged in l such amanner as to yield when the berth vibrates 'either on its longitudinal or transverse axis, and return toits norma-l position when not occupied. y

My invention furthermore consists in a novel device for securing the ends of the cords by which the berth is suspended to the ends of the swinging frame.

In the said drawings, A represents the easing within'which the berth is located. The

rectangular frame B of this berth is suspended by wire ropes or cords a, secured to its four corners from a frame, D, which consists of a stout bar or beam, b, extending longitudinally over the center of the berth, and provided at each end with a transverse piece, forming two branches or arms, c c, to the extremities ot' which the ends of the wire ropes or cords a are connected.

lhe ends of1 these arms o are slightly enlarged, and are each provided with an aperture for the reception of a flanged nipple, 19, through which the end of the cord a passes, the top of the aperture i-n the nipple being countersunk, as seen in Fig. 6, to receive the knotted or enlarged end of the cord 5 and over this nipple is screwed an ornamental cap, 20, which conceals the end of ihecord and holds it down tightly in its place.

The enlarged ends of the branches c are each provided with an open slot, 2l, through which the cord a can be introduced or withdrawn when the nipple is raised up outof its seat, a

convenient means being thus ai'orded for con necting or disconneetin g the cords without disturbing the knots or enlargements at their ends.

The lowerendsofthe ,cords c are connected in a simili'gmanme-"ivith" ,the corners of the frame B, lth screw-caps being here dispensed with. rIhe bar b, which is of the form seen in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided on each side of its center with an upwardly-projecting portion, 10, and between these two projections l() is pivoted a cross-piece, E, the transverse portion of which is pivoted by means lof adjustable screws d d within a U-shaped hanger, G, bolted firmly to the underside of the top or ceiling of the casing A, and passing through an aperture, 15, in the bar b, the pivotal points of the longitudinal and transverse portions of the cross-piece E beingarranged in lines at right angles to each other, by which construetion the frameD is permitted to vibrate freely on both its longitudinal and transverse axes, so as to preserve its equilibrium as the vessel pitches or rolls, but is prevented from swinging around in a horizontal plane; and consequently as the movements of the berth B are controlled to a great extent by those of the frame D overhead, from which it is suspended, it is steadied in a great measure thereby and kept out of contact with the sides of the casing A.

One of the screws d is provided with a hanndle, e, similar to that of a vise, by means of which it can be tightened, so as to allow the berth to swing longitudinally with more .or less freedom, to adapt it to the weight -or size of the occupant, who is thusenabled to instantly adjust this movement to suit the requirements ofthe case.

If desired, screws similar to those (l maybe employed as pivots for the longitudinal portion of the cross-piece E, instead of the construction shown. i

In order to still further steady the berth B,

the under side of its frame is connected with the bottom of the casing A by means of a double swivel or universal joint, composed of a cross-piece, I, similar to the piece E, the transverse portion f of which is pivoted between lugs or ears g, projecting from the plate h, secured to the under side of the berth- 4frame B, while the longitudinal portion t' is pivoted between ears projecting up from and secured to a block or beam, H, attached to the bottom of the casing A, a universal-joint connection being thus formed, by which the berth-is effectually prevented from swinging around in a horizontal plane, but is at the same time allowed to conform exactly to all of the movements of its supporting-frame D, as desired, and by this construction the guides heretofore employed at the ends of the berth are entirely dispensed with and the friction thus reduced to a minimum, while at the same time the operation of the berth is rendered much more perfect, andthe liability of its becoming set or jammed in any particular position within the casing is thus entirely avoided.

At the head and foot of the berth are a pair of crossed spiral springs, K K, one end of each spring being secured to the berth-frame and the opposite end to the ioor or side of the casing A, these springs when thus arranged serving to steady the berth and render it less tremulous, and also to return it to its normal position when not occupied, as alateral movement in either direction will cause a tension to be brought upon one spring of each pair, v

and a longitudinal movement in either direction will bring a strain upon one pair or the other of the springs, as the case maybe; and by the employment of these springs the necessary stability is given to the berth, while it is nevertheless free to swing and preserve its equilibrium as the vessel pitches or rolls.

Instead of the spiral springs K K, rubber or other suitable springs' maybe employed, and the points of attachment of these springs to the berthframe and floor or easing may be changed'to suit the requirements of the case.

A berth constructed as above described will preserve its equilibrium o1' balance and maintain itself1 in a horizontal position when occupied, independently of the vessels motion, thus removing the causes which induce sea-sickness, and promoting the comfort of the occupant.

It is evident that racks for supporting glassware, Crockery, 85e., in ships cabins, ships7 tables, chairs,- settees, &e., and the iloors of state-rooms may be constructed in a manner similar to the berth above described without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In an application of even date herewith I have shown and described a series of springs employed for the purpose of preventing nny due oscillations of the berth, and in this present application I have claimed these springs in combination with other parts.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the vibrating berth B, of the springs K K, diagonally placed under the bottom thereof, and connected to the state-room floor to prevent undue oscillation ot' the berth, substantially in the manner and for'the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the vibrati n g berth, of the slotted arms c, removable nipples 19,

and screw-caps 20, for holding the cords a,

substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a berth suspended lfrom an overhung swinging frame, D, as described, of the cross-piece I, pivoted to the berth and topa stationary part beneath in lines at right angles to each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Wit-ness my hand this 4th day of October, A. D. 187 9.

DAVID HUSTON.

In presence of l). E. TnscHEMAeHER, W. J. CAMBnrDGE. 

